Masturbation: Here’s what you need to know

What is it, who does it and is it normal?

Many people feel embarrassed talking about masturbation, but it's a perfectly normal and natural part of life and something both men and women do. Exploring your body and discovering what you like can help you to grow more comfortable with yourself and enjoy sexual experiences more.

What is masturbation?

Masturbation means the stimulation of the genitals (penis, testicles, vagina, clitoris) for pleasure. You can masturbate for your own enjoyment (self masturbation) or you can masturbate with someone else (mutual masturbation). People often masturbate in order to have a sexual release known as an orgasm.

However, not everyone masturbates to achieve an orgasm. Some people may want to learn more about their bodies, find out what they enjoy sexually, or use it as a way to relieve stress.

Different ways of masturbating

Usually, a person with a penis will touch or rub their penis and the surrounding area while it's erect until the come, or have an orgasm. It can also involve using fingers or sex toys to penetrate the anus.

A person with a vagina can touch or rub their clitoris and the surrounding areas to become sexually excited and come, or have an orgasm. As well as this, they can use fingers or sex toys to penetrate the vagina.

Is masturbating the same for everyone?

Everybody is different and some people can reach an orgasm quickly, while for others it can take more time.

Everyone likes different things, and it's okay to explore and find out what you like. Some people prefer to use toys, others might simply use their hands.

Mutual masturbation

Mutual masturbation usually invlolves a couple masturbating together, or stimiulating each other's genitals, as a way to enjoy sex. This can include using hands or toys to stimulate a partner's genitals, and it could also include oral sex (using your mouth).

For some people, mutual masturbation is sex. For others, it can be a form of foreplay, leading up to sexual intercourse. It all depends on the couple and what you or your partner is comfortable with.